3rd Sunday in Lent - Oneness with Christ - Christ Living Through Us

Deus caritas est! “…God is love.” 1 John 4:16

As we enter this season of reflection and renewal, let’s rediscover God calling to His children, revealing His goodness, and transforming each one with Perfect Love. "This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10) ~ Donna Oswalt

The fruit of righteousness is that fruit that is exercised in us by the Holy Spirit. RC Sproul from The Holiness of God

Without God, we do not have faith; we cannot love. God IS love, and because He loves us, we can know love. Christians are to demonstrate the fruit of God's love to others. When we call ourselves His children but do not love, we deceive each other.

We love because He first loved us... Whoever loves God must also love his brother.                  1John 4:19, 21 

Commentaries say John uses the word love "35 times" in this letter. The love John uses is the Greek word agape to describe a self-less, undeserving, pure love. This agape begins with God and flows into us. In acknowledging God as the Source of love, our help and security, our comfort and rest can be traced to God. No longer are we self-reliant; rather, we become Spirit-dependent as the Holy Spirit dwells in us, growing the fruit of righteousness. In Galatians 5:22-23, we find the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. God is love and through us He shows His love to others.

READ 1 John 4:19-21

consider this!

- Can the law make us love?

- What fruit of the Spirit is missing from my life?

Love Most High - Such generous love and mercy flows from You. You are the Source of goodness and grace, love and power, life and death. In You I can find all things good. You are holy and righteous. Teach me how to grow my life to be more like Yours. Amen. -dho

All rights reserved; copyright 2017 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

Fearless Love

Deus caritas est! “…God is love.” 1 John 4:16

As we enter this season of reflection and renewal, let’s rediscover God calling to His children, revealing His goodness, and transforming each one with Perfect Love. "This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10) ~ Donna Oswalt

 What Jesus do you serve? Todd Agnew, Christian worship leader

In Agnew's song, he asks us, "What Jesus do you serve?" Do we serve the Jesus of the stained glass church or the One that walks among the broken? It's a good question. More often than not, most of us find our comfort zone of service safe within the walls of the church, with people more like us than different. When Jesus walked the earth, however, He almost always was found outside the Temple, among the sick, with the needing ones.


...in this world we are like Him. There is no fear in love... 1 John 4:17-18  

Christians are called to step out into the world, be the Christ-light for others. We are called to stand among the broken, be as Christ to others. We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, be a witness for Christ to the lost. Yes, there are hurting, wounded, and lost people within the walls of the church; however, the Spirit also leads us outside to spread His light and love to many more. Many times it is fear that holds us back, gives us pause. These verses in 1 John 4 tell us perfect love casts out fear. Have I offered this same assurance to someone who's afraid and broken?

READ 1 John 4:17-18

consider this!

- What does "love is made complete" mean?

- When is this "day of judgement"?

- Does my "fear" clash with "perfect love"?

Jesus, Lover of my soul. When the time comes that I stand before you face-to-face, I will find amazing grace. In these days before that time, my heart searches for new ways to reach out in the name of Jesus, to reach out in the way You love. Amen. -dho

All rights reserved; copyright 2017 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

Trust His Love

Deus caritas est! “…God is love.” 1 John 4:16

As we enter this season of reflection and renewal, let’s rediscover God calling to His children, revealing His goodness, and transforming each one with Perfect Love. "This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10) ~ Donna Oswalt

Trust God for the unexpected, and let Him surprise you by doing the unexplainable. Unknown

No matter the length of study time or depth of study, our human minds cannot grasp the greatness of God. Scripture tells us He is greater than anything in this world. The prophet Jeremiah records God's message to him: Call to Me and I will answer you. I'll tell you marvelous and wonderful things that you could never figure out on your own. (Jeremiah 33:3 The Message). Even though we seek Him, in all ways, we can never fully understand God.

...Jesus is God's Son...we've embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God.      1John 4:15-16 The Message 

Reading these verses reminds us of just how loved we are. John's words to believers gives us a way to evaluate our behavior, to help us identify how closely we walk with God. We are to believe, to confess, to live steadily and deeply in Him, and to tell others that Jesus has redeemed us, giving us eternal life. We should embrace Jesus - heart and soul.

READ 1 John 4:13-16

consider this!

- What is the proof God gives believers of His Presence?

- When life is uncertain, what is the believer's certainty?

- Do I fully embrace God's generous Love?

Jesus - You lived God's love when You allowed the world to hammer the nails! You live God's love now as our Eternal Intercessor. You will live God's love when You return for His children. I want to wholeheartedly embrace this Divine Love and share You with others. Amen. -dho

All rights reserved; copyright 2017 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

No Room Left

Deus caritas est! “…God is love.” 1 John 4:16

As we enter this season of reflection and renewal, let’s rediscover God calling to His children, revealing His goodness, and transforming each one with Perfect Love. "This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10) ~ Donna Oswalt

Your emptiness accepted creates a space for God in your life. When you embrace that emptiness, God can begin to fill you. God has a plan for you. Marcrina Wiederkehr from A Tree Full of Angels

We live so fully, always busy, that we often find ourselves too full with no room left for God. Busyness can keep us from developing an intimate relationship with the Lord. To lay down the world, to lay down television, newspapers, work, electronics, social activities, and sometimes even church activities, is necessary to create time and space for God. Sadly, this is the way we frequently go about it, as an afterthought. 

...if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and His love becomes complete in us - perfect love! 1 John 4:12 The Message

What a beautiful thought - Perfect Love is complete in us! The Holy Spirit needs a place to work, and when our lives are too full, there is little room for His Presence.

READ 1 John 4:11-12

consider this!

- How does God reveal His love to me?

- Can God offer Perfect Love to others through me?

- How much space does my life create for God?

Father, come and dwell in me. It is time to clean house, throw out unnecessary clutter that robs my soul of time with You. With open hands and open ears, I ask You to fill me with holiness, speak to me with wisdom. Make me complete in You. Amen. -dho

All rights reserved; copyright 2017 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

Grace Redeems!

Deus caritas est! “…God is love.” 1 John 4:16

As we enter this season of reflection and renewal, let’s rediscover God calling to His children, revealing His goodness, and transforming each one with Perfect Love. "This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10) ~ Donna Oswalt

 ...[God] makes us passionately and spiritually unbalanced. God steers us in the direction of His kingdom, His purpose, His passions. His desire is not to conform us but to transform us. Not to make us compliant, but to make us creative. His intent is never to domesticate us, but to liberate us. Erwin Raphael McManus from The Barbarian Way (pg. 64)

God's plan for redemption was created long before time. God's redemption transforms us, gives us new life, grants us new freedom. We glimpse eternity now and find the longing for a more intimate relationship with God.

This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that He loved us... 1 John 4:10 

God sent His only son to earth and Jesus was betrayed, beaten, and buried. Yet, it is God that always has the last word. Christ lives! Grace Redeems! And all this for my sins and for your sins, for all sinners everywhere.

READ 1 John 4:9-10

consider this!

- Define 'real love'.

- What did Jesus have to sacrifice to come into the world?

- What does 'real love' offer that the world cannot?

God of Mercy, I am not worthy of such love, such sacrifice. You love best of all. At my best, my days are filled with token deeds and worthy gestures but none come near to Your sacrifice. I kneel at Your altar with praises for freedom through Christ. Continue to transform me! Amen. -dho

All rights reserved; copyright 2017 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

God is Love

Deus caritas est! “…God is love.” 1 John 4:16

As we enter this season of reflection and renewal, let’s rediscover God calling to His children, revealing His goodness, and transforming each one with Perfect Love. "This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10) ~ Donna Oswalt

Open your hearts to the love God instills... God loves you tenderly. What He gives you is not to be kept under lock and key, but to be shared.      Mother Teresa

Love is an action that a person chooses to receive and chooses to give. Because the Spirit lives inside the believer, we are empowered to love, to love like Christ. Commentary in the Life Application Bible says it this way: God's love always involves a choice and an action.

...God is love. 1 John 4:8 NCV

God's love is higher and deeper and wider and grander than we can begin to imagine. He loves us, calls us, draws near to us. God chooses us! When our response is to choose God, we discover more than enough. When we choose God, His love overflows into us. Loving each other is the action that demonstrates His amazing grace.

READ 1 John 4:7-8

consider this!

- What is the source of all love?

- Is real love a feeling or an action?

- How well do I really love?

Love Most High, You can only love one way - Completely, Generously, Perfectly. Kindle my life with that tender Love. My heart weeps at such an offering. Forgive me when I hold tightly to Your love, when my selfish soul stops the flow of Perfect Love. Amen. -dho

All rights reserved; copyright 2017 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

Glory of God!

Deus caritas est! “…God is love.” 1 John 4:16

As we enter this season of reflection and renewal, let’s rediscover God calling to His children, revealing His goodness, and transforming each one with Perfect Love. "This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10) ~ Donna Oswalt

I saw the Milky Way in full glory once, while visiting a refugee camp in Somalia, just below the equator... I could not lift my sights beyond that refugee camp situated in an obscure corner of an obscure country on the Horn of Africa. Until I saw the Milky Way. It abruptly reminded me that the present moment did not comprise all of life. History would go on. Tribes, government, whole civilizations may rise and fall, trailing disaster in their wake, but I dared not confine my field of vision to the scenes of suffering around me. I needed to look up, to the stars. Philip Yancey from Finding God in Unexpected Places (pg. 29)

Philip Yancey's words paint a true picture of this world, full of difficulty and full of God. Those who serve the world do not speak of God, do not listen to God. These unbelievers frequently denounce Christians who faithfully witness for Christ.

...because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 1John 4:4 NLT

We find ourselves surrounded by chaos and confusion, which always comes from evil; yet, we are never alone, always have hope. The Holy Spirit resides within every believer. How easily we get lost in the negative and forget to look for God's Presence. It is everywhere! Just take time to look, even to the stars.

READ 1 John 4:4-6

consider this!

- Identify evil influences in your daily life?

- How can I give God the "greater" place in my life?

- Is the Spirit abiding in me?

Holy Father - The world speaks a language designed to rob You of glory. Sometimes, the burden of the confusion and disorder almost suffocate me. My hope is Christ! Like fresh air, the Spirit breathes new life into the darkest moments. You are greater than anything in this world. Amen. -dho

All rights reserved; copyright 2017 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

2nd Sunday in Lent - Oneness in Christ - Living as Christ

Deus caritas est! “…God is love.” 1 John 4:16

As we enter this season of reflection and renewal, let’s rediscover God calling to His children, revealing His goodness, and transforming each one with Perfect Love. "This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10) ~ Donna Oswalt

 What the pastor said was so simple that it will remain with me forever. "Each one of us acts as an Antichrist, " he said, "whenever we hear the gospel and do not do it." Kathleen Norris/Amazing Grace

Too often we believe the words that sound good instead of searching for the truth. Satan is clever as there are always threads of truth in all his deceptions. We get tangled in the rhetoric and miss the point.

... do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world... every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist... 1John 4:1,3

Many will try to confuse us, evil spirits and humans that are being used by the evil spirits. Scripture tells us that every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God (1 John 4:2). To acknowledge Jesus requires our words, our confession of faith in Jesus, and our actions, our deeds done in response to our faith. When we say we believe that Jesus is our resurrected Savior but live without loving actions, we act as an Antichrist. Words are powerful, but together with our actions our faith becomes testimony.

READ 1 John 4:1-3

consider this!

- What must a person believe about Christ to be a Christian?

- Why is it important to know The Truth?

- Does the Antichrist live at my house?

Father - I know the world is full of trickery, that Satan delights in my failure to listen for the Spirit of Truth. I desire a discerning heart. Amen. -dho

All rights reserved; copyright 2017 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

Fellowship

Deus caritas est! “…God is love.” 1 John 4:16

As we enter this season of reflection and renewal, let’s rediscover God calling to His children, revealing His goodness, and transforming each one with Perfect Love. "This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10) ~ Donna Oswalt

 We are saved so that we might know Him in intimate daily fellowship.                                                             Steve McVey/Grace Walk

Growing intimacy defines a deeper relationship. God calls us into community with Him, longs to have intimate daily fellowship with His children. Do we really desire this?

And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us. Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us. 1 John 3:23-24 NLT

Love defines this mutuality, His love for us and our love for others. In our obedience to God's love, we find ourselves both loved and loving. We are never alone when we live in fellowship with Him.

READ 1 John 3:23-24

consider this!

- What is the character of Jesus?

- What is required for living in fellowship with him?

- What evidence of God's presence is given the believer?

Spirit of Life - You draw near to me, call me to live deeply in Christ. Let love shine through me however You desire. Amen. -dho

All rights reserved; copyright 2017 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

Completely Yield

Deus caritas est! “…God is love.” 1 John 4:16

As we enter this season of reflection and renewal, let’s rediscover God calling to His children, revealing His goodness, and transforming each one with Perfect Love. "This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10) ~ Donna Oswalt

But many Christians have misunderstood the purpose of the law. The law was given so that people might see their own absolute inadequacy to live in a way that glorifies God. Steve McVey/Grace Walk 

We live in a world where anything goes; we live with its illusions of perfection. Success and wealth and beauty demand attention. In our disillusionment, we are discouraged when these self-sufficient attempts do not bring satisfaction.

For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves... We are able to stretch our hands out and receive what we asked for because we're doing what He said, doing what pleases Him. 1John 3:20,22 The Message

We cannot save ourselves by following a set of rules. Only through Grace can a relationship with God be established. The world exploits the heart and mind by promoting "more and better". Soon the expectations are greater than the reality. When we focus on Christ and His unending Love, our hearts and minds are renewed. Realizing we no longer work for the world, we can live for Christ.

READ 1 John 3:19-22 

consider this!

- What are the lies that the world is telling me?

- When God reveals my heart's true intentions, what do I see?

- Do I depend on God or myself?

Jesus - My heart often settles for "more and better" when You offer me "the most and the best." My mind struggles with greater but You offer enough. My desire is to completely yield myself to You. Let Your work be done through me. Amen. -dho

All rights reserved; copyright 2017 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

Love So Real

Deus caritas est! “…God is love.” 1 John 4:16

As we enter this season of reflection and renewal, let’s rediscover God calling to His children, revealing His goodness, and transforming each one with Perfect Love. "This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10) ~ Donna Oswalt

 I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts. John Locke 

The well-known idiom actions speak louder than words is true. If our hearts embrace real love then we will respond with real love to others. Loving is not always easy; it involves time and sacrifice. Some of us believe ourselves to be generous, but do we truly give from a sacrificial heart?

This is how we know what real love is: Jesus gave His life for us. So we should give our lives for our brothers and sisters... My children, we should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring. 
 1 John 3:16,18 NCV 

Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice for us, His life on the cross! Scripture says we should give our lives for others. How can that work? Our giving does not have the power to pardon sin, but with Christ, we are empowered to forgive, to listen, to love, to feel another's pain, to touch another's grief, to celebrate another's joy. With Christ, we speak His name with good deeds and the generosity of a sincere heart. 

READ 1 John 3:14-18 

consider this!

- Have I ever received real love?

- When was the last time I put down my life: laid down my agenda, gave some of my precious time, offered real love to someone else?

- What do my actions reveal about me?

Lord, it is so hard to believe in Love so real! It is hard to accept Love so pure! You are Perfect Love given to me. Words come and go, heard and not heard, written and forgotten, but when I love others in their ordinary days, touching their everyday wound and weariness, dilemmas and decisions, fears and failures - I am loving You and offering Your love to others. Use me, Lord. Amen. -dho

All rights reserved; copyright 2017 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook